Pentagon chief offers broad reshaping of military

Associated Press

Updated 2:02 pm, Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Photo: Carolyn Kaster, STF

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Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel's proposed budget aims to scale back the U.S. military to pre-World War II size. "We are entering an era where American dominance on the seas, in the skies and in space can no longer be taken for granted," he said.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel's proposed budget aims to scale back the U.S. military to pre-World War II size. "We are entering an era where American dominance on the seas, in the skies and in space can no ... more

Photo: Carolyn Kaster, STF

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Elimination of the Air Force's A-10 Thunderbolt II "Warthog" tank-killer aircraft is among the more contentious proposals on Hagel's hit list.

The active-duty Army would shrink from today's 522,000 soldiers to between 440,000 and 450,000 — the smallest number since 1940 when the nation was gearing up to enter World War II. The Army currently is scheduled to be reduced to 490,000. less

The active-duty Army would shrink from today's 522,000 soldiers to between 440,000 and 450,000 — the smallest number since 1940 when the nation was gearing up to enter World War II. The Army currently is ... more

Photo: Maya Alleruzzo, Associated Press

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The National Guard would drop from 355,000 soldiers to 335,000 by 2017, and the Army Reserve would drop by 10,000 total, to 195,000. Expect more scenes like Texas Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Luke Summerlin's 2010 reunion his with wife, Michelle, in Port Arthur. less

The National Guard would drop from 355,000 soldiers to 335,000 by 2017, and the Army Reserve would drop by 10,000 total, to 195,000. Expect more scenes like Texas Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Luke ... more

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Hagel would shrink the Marine Corps from 190,000 to 182,000. The leaner Corps would still fill up seats like they did during this 2012 baseball game between the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers.

Hagel would shrink the Marine Corps from 190,000 to 182,000. The leaner Corps would still fill up seats like they did during this 2012 baseball game between the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers.

Photo: Gregory Bull, Associated Press

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Despite the trimming, Hagel plans to add 900 Marines to bolster security at U.S. embassies around the world under his 2015 budget proposal. These two Marines are seen guarding the U.S. Embassy in Monrovia in 2003. less

Despite the trimming, Hagel plans to add 900 Marines to bolster security at U.S. embassies around the world under his 2015 budget proposal. These two Marines are seen guarding the U.S. Embassy in Monrovia in ... more

Photo: GEORGES GOBET, AFP/Getty Images

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The Navy faces some major changes, but the military branch would keep the Nimitz-class USS John C. Stennis and its 10 other aircraft carriers under Hagel's proposed budget.

The Navy faces some major changes, but the military branch would keep the Nimitz-class USS John C. Stennis and its 10 other aircraft carriers under Hagel's proposed budget.

Photo: MC3 Kenneth Abbate, HOPD

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The nation's 11-vessel aircraft carrier fleet includes the USS George Washington, which almost went to the scrapyard until the White House intervened. The massive vessel is now due for an overhaul in dock.

The nation's 11-vessel aircraft carrier fleet includes the USS George Washington, which almost went to the scrapyard until the White House intervened. The massive vessel is now due for an overhaul in dock. ... more

Photo: CHRIS CAVAGNARO, AFP/Getty Images

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Hagel's budget also aims to "lay up," or temporarily remove from active service, 11 of the Navy's 22 cruisers. But those vessels will be upgraded, not mothballed. The cruiser USS Gettysburg is shown with the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman. less

Hagel's budget also aims to "lay up," or temporarily remove from active service, 11 of the Navy's 22 cruisers. But those vessels will be upgraded, not mothballed. The cruiser USS Gettysburg is shown with the ... more

Photo: Getty Images

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The Navy would tear up purchase contracts for 20 new littoral combat ships, instead buying just 32. Petty Officer 1st Class Francisco Fernandez, a gunner's mate from Pasadena, is one of six Texans aboard the new Independence-class LCS.

The Navy would tear up purchase contracts for 20 new littoral combat ships, instead buying just 32. Petty Officer 1st Class Francisco Fernandez, a gunner's mate from Pasadena, is one of six Texans aboard the ... more

Photo: Johnny Hanson

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The venerable U-2 spy plane of Cold War fame also is on Hagel's chopping block, to be replaced with more high-tech options.

The venerable U-2 spy plane of Cold War fame also is on Hagel's chopping block, to be replaced with more high-tech options.

Photo: DAVE NIELSEN, AP

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This 1955 photo shows the prototype U-2 spy plane tested at what is now known at Area 51 in Nevada.

This 1955 photo shows the prototype U-2 spy plane tested at what is now known at Area 51 in Nevada.

Photo: Associated Press

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Military officials and employees of Teledyne Ryan get a closeup look at one of the U-2's main replacements -- the unmanned Global Hawk.

Military officials and employees of Teledyne Ryan get a closeup look at one of the U-2's main replacements -- the unmanned Global Hawk.

Photo: DENIS POROY, AP

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Airmen train at the 1st Special Operations Civil Engineer Squadron on Eglin Air Force Base in Florida for overseas deployment. The budget plan would boost special operations from 66,000 to 69,700.

Airmen train at the 1st Special Operations Civil Engineer Squadron on Eglin Air Force Base in Florida for overseas deployment. The budget plan would boost special operations from 66,000 to 69,700.

Photo: Nick Tomecek, Associated Press

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The Navy's technology-laden Zumwalt destroyer is taking shape at Maine’s Bath Iron Works. Hagel's budget provides for buying two more destroyers and two attack submarines.

The Navy's technology-laden Zumwalt destroyer is taking shape at Maine’s Bath Iron Works. Hagel's budget provides for buying two more destroyers and two attack submarines.

Photo: Robert F. Bukaty, Associated Press

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Texans defensive end J.J. Watt tries to squeeze into the cockpit of a Kiowa scout helicopter during his USO tour to visit U.S. troops in Afghanistan. Hagel's proposal scraps the entire fleet of these aircraft.

Texans defensive end J.J. Watt tries to squeeze into the cockpit of a Kiowa scout helicopter during his USO tour to visit U.S. troops in Afghanistan. Hagel's proposal scraps the entire fleet of these aircraft. ... more

Photo: FRED GREAVES

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U.S. Army Air Calvary servicemen walk away from an AH-64 Apache helicopter at Kemah Boardwalk last year. Hagel's proposal calls for a helicopter swap between branches. The
National Guard's Apaches, suitable for battle, would go to the
Army. less

U.S. Army Air Calvary servicemen walk away from an AH-64 Apache helicopter at Kemah Boardwalk last year. Hagel's proposal calls for a helicopter swap between branches. The
National Guard's Apaches, suitable ... more

Photo: Johnny Hanson/Houston Chronicle

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The Army's heavy-lifter Black Hawk helicopters are to be transferred to the National Guard, for use during natural disasters and other emergencies in the United States.

The Army's heavy-lifter Black Hawk helicopters are to be transferred to the National Guard, for use during natural disasters and other emergencies in the United States.

Photo: PAUL CONNORS, AP

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Pentagon chief offers broad reshaping of military

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WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is looking beyond the United States' post-9/11 wars with a budget proposal for 2015 that trims the Army to its smallest size in 74 years.

The nation can afford a smaller, "more nimble" military so long as it retains a technological edge and the agility to respond on short notice to crises anywhere on the globe, Hagel said in a speech marking his first year as head of the Pentagon.